AMC-X concludes in Karachi with call to turn financial inclusion into economic progress
AMC-X concludes in Karachi with call to turn financial inclusion into economic progress
The Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) concluded the 10th Annual Microfinance Conference (AMC-X) in Karachi, bringing together government, regulators, financial institutions, development partners and experts to shape the next phase of financial inclusion in Pakistan.
Organised by PMN with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) under the EU-funded PAIDAR programme for rural Sindh, the two-day conference marked a decade of AMC as a national platform for policy dialogue and industry collaboration. Discussions focused on moving beyond financial access towards client progression, resilience and measurable economic outcomes, particularly for women, farmers, microenterprises and underserved rural communities.
AMC-X: measure outcomes, not just outreach
Addressing the conference virtually, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, placed financial inclusion within Pakistan’s wider transition from macroeconomic stabilisation towards sustainable growth.
He called for greater use of cash-flow-based rather than collateral-based lending, digital credit tools and alternative data to bring more borrowers into formal finance, particularly in agriculture and SMEs. “It’s not just how much you lend, how many borrowers, but also start measuring outcomes,” he said, pointing to borrower graduation, job creation and women’s economic participation as the real measures of success.
Opening the moot, Amir Khan, Chairman PMN and President and CEO of HBL Microfinance Bank, called for microfinance to be integrated into the wider financial system. “The principle behind everything to follow is to mainstream microfinance into the financial ecosystem, not a parallel track,” he said.
PAIDAR facility expands to Rs4.2 billion
On day two, Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation of EU Pakistan, addressed the conference virtually and assured Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah of continued collaboration in the province’s development journey.
The chief minister said financial inclusion must move from mere access to quality and relevance, with products designed around clients’ incomes, seasons and risks. He welcomed the launch of the PAIDAR Innovation Labs, which will bring financial institutions and rural enterprises together to co-design products for underserved markets in Sindh.
A major outcome was the expansion of the PAIDAR guarantee-based financing facility with the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited. Under Phase II, financing scales from Rs200 million to Rs4.2 billion across Larkana, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal and Tharparkar, with women targeted for at least 50 per cent of the financing. A 2 million euro EU grant will support beneficiary identification, technical assistance and mark-up support.
Another outcome was the signing of a Rs1 billion financing facility between the Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company and the National Rural Support Programme for renewable energy microfinance.
Awards and the road to 2035
Sessions across the two days covered women’s access to finance, regulation, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, Islamic microfinance and the sector’s future to 2035. State Bank Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah stressed customer-centred innovation and commercial sustainability, while Kashf Foundation’s Roshaneh Zafar flagged mission drift and climate vulnerability as the industry’s two major risks.
The Pakistan Microfinance Awards 2026 went to HBL Microfinance Bank (best microfinance bank) and the National Rural Support Programme (best non-banking microfinance company). Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib was honoured for Akhuwat’s interest-free model and Naved A. Khan for linking mainstream banking with microfinance.
Frequently asked questions
What is AMC-X?
The 10th Annual Microfinance Conference, organised by the Pakistan Microfinance Network with UNIDO under the EU-funded PAIDAR programme. The two-day Karachi moot brought together government, regulators, banks and development partners.
What were the main outcomes?
The PAIDAR guarantee facility expands from Rs200 million to Rs4.2 billion across five Sindh districts, with women targeted for at least half the financing. A Rs1 billion microfinance facility for renewable energy was signed, and the Pakistan Microfinance Awards 2026 were announced.
What did the finance minister say?
Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb urged cash-flow-based lending, digital credit tools and alternative data, saying the sector should measure outcomes like borrower graduation, job creation and women’s economic participation rather than just outreach.
